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#11
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The 10 commandments
On May 24, 3:21*am, James wrote:
What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? I don't. I take them to a public park and see that they are able to ride a straight line, are able to get on and move off and stop and get off without falling or otherwise losing control. Once I am satisfied they can do these things (adjusting position to enable, if required) i let them just ride without interruption for 1/2 hour. Lesson two is checking over their shoulder while riding a steady line, I just hang back and say I can't hear when they are speaking and they turn their heads typically without much disturbance of control. Asking them to look back typically brings fear to their minds and they are unable to then keep control. You can't just give a checklist, it's not appropriate as there is typically no understanding whatsoever, and the inability to make accurate control has a greater bearing on their survival than any specific instruction of public road use. Novices should not ride during busy times or at night on public roads. Guidance on road positioning may not be needed and if things are going well, it is best not to interupt. We learn more by doing than by being told what to do. Correction should rarely be necessary for an attentive student. E.g. 1/ Thou shalt obey the road rules. 2/ Thou shalt ride as far left/right as practicable does not mean on the edge, but more like 0.5 to 1m from it, probably in the left [right for US, etc.] wheel tracks. The true novice does not take up a kerb hugging position unless he/she has been told otherwise. This is one of those things which is best left unsaid in early rides as the will of the person is stronger when they have an example to follow. 3/ Thou shalt prepare for other road users who might fail to give way. Again, too much to think about, best left unsaid. 4/ Thou shalt have lights for riding in foul weather, poor light and after sunset. Nope, not appropriate conditions for a novice rider. 5/ Thou shalt look behind and possibly indicate before moving further in to the road, for example to move around an obstacle or to turn right [left]. Not really a commandment is it? 6/ Thou shalt practice emergency stops in a safe place, and be ready to employ if needs be. I'd rather they kept their speed down and ride in places where motorised traffic is sparse and slow. 7/ Thou shalt brake most effectively while traveling in a straight line. *Braking while cornering, especially in the wet is to be minimised or not at all. That's bull**** and may lead to unnecessary injury. etc. I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys a bike (or helmet in this country). Suggestions welcome. -- JS |
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#12
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The 10 commandments
On May 24, 5:06*am, Dan O wrote:
On May 23, 7:21*pm, James wrote: What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? E.g. 1/ Thou shalt obey the road rules. 2/ Thou shalt ride as far left/right as practicable does not mean on the edge, but more like 0.5 to 1m from it, probably in the left [right for US, etc.] wheel tracks. 3/ Thou shalt prepare for other road users who might fail to give way. 4/ Thou shalt have lights for riding in foul weather, poor light and after sunset. 5/ Thou shalt look behind and possibly indicate before moving further in to the road, for example to move around an obstacle or to turn right [left]. 6/ Thou shalt practice emergency stops in a safe place, and be ready to employ if needs be. 7/ Thou shalt brake most effectively while traveling in a straight line.. *Braking while cornering, especially in the wet is to be minimised or not at all. etc. I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys a bike (or helmet in this country). Suggestions welcome. Thou shalt think for thyself, be responsible for thine own actions, and considerate of thine fellow creatures. Other than that, Ride Bike! Good, and Avoid getting killed at all costs. This may mean not riding bike at some times in some places. Don't ride beyond your ability. Avoid falling off. Avoid riding into other people or their property. |
#13
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The 10 commandments
On 24/05/13 15:34, Dan O wrote:
On May 23, 7:21 pm, James wrote: What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? snip etc. I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys a bike (or helmet in this country). Suggestions welcome. I would emphasize situational awareness. I think more important than being predictable (whatever that is in any given circumstances) is being able to predict, and knowing the limitations of same. As for someone buying a helmet, I would advise them not to count on it to save them, then loop back to #1 above. Also, thou shalt take very good care of thine bike, and thine bike will take comensurate good care of thou. I like that. -- JS |
#14
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The 10 commandments
On 5/23/2013 9:21 PM, James wrote:
What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? [...] Suggestions welcome. Thou shall read: http://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html. -- T0m $herm@n |
#15
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The 10 commandments
On 5/23/2013 10:21 PM, James wrote:
What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? E.g. 1/ Thou shalt obey the road rules. 2/ Thou shalt ride as far left/right as practicable does not mean on the edge, but more like 0.5 to 1m from it, probably in the left [right for US, etc.] wheel tracks. 3/ Thou shalt prepare for other road users who might fail to give way. 4/ Thou shalt have lights for riding in foul weather, poor light and after sunset. 5/ Thou shalt look behind and possibly indicate before moving further in to the road, for example to move around an obstacle or to turn right [left]. 6/ Thou shalt practice emergency stops in a safe place, and be ready to employ if needs be. 7/ Thou shalt brake most effectively while traveling in a straight line. Braking while cornering, especially in the wet is to be minimised or not at all. etc. I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys a bike (or helmet in this country). Suggestions welcome. Signal your intentions to drivers and other riders. Make eye contact when taking your right of way. Don't pass another bike on the right. Expect the other guy to do the wrong thing. |
#16
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The 10 commandments
On May 23, 10:35 pm, James wrote:
On 24/05/13 15:15, Dan O wrote: On May 23, 9:32 pm, Ralph Barone wrote: Dan O wrote: On May 23, 8:46 pm, Ralph Barone wrote: James wrote: What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? snip Suggestions welcome. Be predictable, visible and legal (in that order). Does "legal" not pretty much take care of "predictable"? And that invisible thing... well, I've been working on it in the lab *forever* and can't even seem to get close. Well, when driving, I tend to drive the speed of surrounding traffic, even if they're speeding. That would be an example of predictable over legal. As far as invisibility goes, you can come damn close if you want. Enter an intersection beside a car, rather than between them. Wear dark clothes at night and have no lights or reflectors. Come hurtling out of driveways onto the road. I get it. Sorry. It was all good advice. Sorry. (So sorry... ) It's just that being predictable means doing what other people expect of me, right? It's okay (and essential) to a point. But a *rule*? Rule #1? Blech! What a way to live. The idea behind being predictable is to give others the best opportunity to coexist in harmony. Being predictable means acting *only* within the range of expected actions. I have zero control over others expectations (other than setting them by example). And "best"? Now we're talking about staying not only in their *range* of expectations (I fully expected the driver of a passing SUV to chop me off the other day - could just sense the aggresive expression coming on), now we're talking about doing what they think *most* likely. Why not just let the Central Scrutinizer program and prescribe all actions in advance. Sound like Brave New World or 1984? While you're on the road with traffic, would you argue against be predictable as a general rule? I said being predictable is essential - to a point; *somewhat* predictable. Of course, if you leave the road and others don't have to accommodate your being where ever you are, you can do pretty much whatever you like I guess. There you go. But can't I *use* the road, too, and pull squirrely **** as long as I don't create a situation that requires accommodation? The problem is drivers see me doing something that they disapprove - from a distance that has no practical effect on their situation, but it makes them nervous because suddenly they are dealing with something that isn't what they consider well behaved (and/or they resent my freedom to do it and joyful exuberance doing it). Being visible, sure - but you really mean consciously *extra* conspicuous. That's fine on a case-by-case as needed basis; but do I need to, like, say to myself, "Self, you can't wear that nice, comfortable, smart-looking shirt that you like so much - unless you put this dayglo vest on over it... because the onus is on you to be 'visible'." - What kind of way to live is that? (And where do you draw the line? Is it up there around the full road crew PPE and Christmas lights array? Is the slope even more slippery than that? Can't I just anticipate that some drivers aren't as attentive as they ought and be prepared to stay out of their autopilot subsystem's crosshairs? If I wear the dayglo-striped vest can I then merrily pedal along and don't worry about it?) There is balance and moderation in almost all things. Visibility is one. I thought I alluded to that in the case-by-case as needed; but at what point is enough enough (just like predictability. If the onus is on me to be *optimally* visible (and predictable), every once of life is sucked out of the activity and all that's left is how (nearly) perfectly can I follow the "rules". And legal... well, you just admitted to breaking your own *third* commandment - in a high-powered, lethal-inertia vehicle. Legal to me is about the spirit and intent of the law - a basis for social interaction - and about reasonableness in prosecution. Our Consitution - the basis of our system of laws - begins with "... and the pursuit of happiness." Again, sorry - I'm workin' on it :-) Keeping up with the flow of traffic is almost defensible. Unless you're a dyed-in-the-wool racer - in which case you have to do even better than just "keeping up" :-) |
#17
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The 10 commandments
On May 23, 11:34 pm, "T0m $herman"
wrote: On 5/23/2013 9:21 PM, James wrote: What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? [...] Suggestions welcome. Thou shall read: http://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html. Excellent. |
#18
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The 10 commandments
On May 24, 3:51 am, Duane Hébert wrote:
On 5/23/2013 10:21 PM, James wrote: What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? E.g. 1/ Thou shalt obey the road rules. 2/ Thou shalt ride as far left/right as practicable does not mean on the edge, but more like 0.5 to 1m from it, probably in the left [right for US, etc.] wheel tracks. 3/ Thou shalt prepare for other road users who might fail to give way. 4/ Thou shalt have lights for riding in foul weather, poor light and after sunset. 5/ Thou shalt look behind and possibly indicate before moving further in to the road, for example to move around an obstacle or to turn right [left]. 6/ Thou shalt practice emergency stops in a safe place, and be ready to employ if needs be. 7/ Thou shalt brake most effectively while traveling in a straight line.. Braking while cornering, especially in the wet is to be minimised or not at all. etc. I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys a bike (or helmet in this country). Suggestions welcome. Signal your intentions to drivers and other riders. We all send signals all the time (can't not communicate). Question is, how perceptive is the receiver? How far and how clear must I be in communicating my intention - especially if they will have no practical impact requiring any cooperation. Make eye contact when taking your right of way. Takes two to make eye contact. Of course I always try - not just when takign right of way, but when "negotiating" any social interaction (ala Hans Monderman). Don't pass another bike on the right. Not even if I leave the orad to do it? Expect the other guy to do the wrong thing. Won't that screw me up if he does the right thing? How about I just expect anything... and nothing. |
#19
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The 10 commandments
On 5/24/2013 10:35 AM, Dan O wrote:
On May 24, 3:51 am, Duane wrote: On 5/23/2013 10:21 PM, James wrote: What commandments/rules would you offer to a novice who's just bought a bike, to help them survive biking, particularly in the (sub)urban roads landscape? E.g. 1/ Thou shalt obey the road rules. 2/ Thou shalt ride as far left/right as practicable does not mean on the edge, but more like 0.5 to 1m from it, probably in the left [right for US, etc.] wheel tracks. 3/ Thou shalt prepare for other road users who might fail to give way. 4/ Thou shalt have lights for riding in foul weather, poor light and after sunset. 5/ Thou shalt look behind and possibly indicate before moving further in to the road, for example to move around an obstacle or to turn right [left]. 6/ Thou shalt practice emergency stops in a safe place, and be ready to employ if needs be. 7/ Thou shalt brake most effectively while traveling in a straight line. Braking while cornering, especially in the wet is to be minimised or not at all. etc. I'm considering what might be a useful sheet of info for anyone who buys a bike (or helmet in this country). Suggestions welcome. Signal your intentions to drivers and other riders. We all send signals all the time (can't not communicate). Question is, how perceptive is the receiver? How far and how clear must I be in communicating my intention - especially if they will have no practical impact requiring any cooperation. Well James was asking for suggestions to impart to someone buying a bike. We have a set of suggestions that we give to new members of our cycling club, some of which he's already included. I thought I'd add a few more. I see riders pulling in front of cars and other bikes without signalling. I see them stopping in front me in my car or my bike without signalling. Same for turns, slowing whatever. Or do you have some other form of communication in mind? g Make eye contact when taking your right of way. Takes two to make eye contact. Of course I always try - not just when takign right of way, but when "negotiating" any social interaction (ala Hans Monderman). I mean for example that when you come to a stop the same time the other guy you make sure that they see you before taking off, even if you have the right of way. I know this restricts your freedom somewhat but I've seen a lot of people get into trouble because the driver wasn't looking for them. Better to let the idiot go in that case. Don't pass another bike on the right. Not even if I leave the orad to do it? We're talking road use. If you mean that you will jump on the sidewalk to pass me, I don't care as long as you don't dump back in front of me without signalling. Or the cop doesn't hit me when he's chasing you down. lol Expect the other guy to do the wrong thing. Won't that screw me up if he does the right thing? How about I just expect anything... and nothing. VC (again, notice the caps) doctrine is to "control the lane", I mean expect the driver to not be controlled. You're rewording amounts to the same thing, I think. Lol, I know you don't like rules man but I don't think James is intending you as a potential user of his commandments here. |
#20
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The 10 commandments
On Friday, May 24, 2013 11:51:01 AM UTC+1, Duane Hébert wrote:
Make eye contact when taking your right of way. ANECDOTE WARNING I go to the optician to have my eyes tested and new spectacles made. I normally get several sets made for different purposes, photochromatics for working at my computer in a room suffused with light day and night, yellow shooter's tints for riding at night, orange tints for most other outdoor purposes in daytime, polarizing for the few really bright sunny days of the year, untinted for social occasions when I want to give my dinner partner or business associates the full benefit of my magnetic personality. (Don't mess with Andre when he's wearing his clear specs. Especially if he has stopped smiling.) This optician, too overweight to fit on a bike, says she will make me a pair of cycling glasses like I never had before. They turn out to be enormously expensive, even by her ripoff standards. They're wonderful all right. I can see the goddamn mountains thirty miles away and make out the ridge in which I once helped to rescue some stupid climbers who went out without proper gear or training. What I can't see, is the road any closer than twenty yards to me. Big deal. On those huge Big Apple tyres I just ride through whatever is on the road. But what I really missed, and understood for the first time how important it is to me as a cyclist, was making eye contact with drivers from two feet to about thirty feet away, so that they could consciously register my presence as a human in motion. I hadn't thought until then on how much that helps in traffic. And no, I don't have any problem with people avoiding eye contact. People here are generally friendly, and have no reason to fear strangers. The few idiots are soon straightened out. Anyway, someone deliberately avoiding eye contact should act as a warning to a cyclist to either not do what he was planning or to take extra care. I read refusal to make eye contact as hostile intent, and act accordingly. I took the spectacles back after a single trial ride, refused to pay, demanded a new pair with my old, workable, prescription, and after that went to an optician who cycles with his kids, where I've been very happy. He also turns out to be half the price of the other one, who's now out of business. Andre Jute |
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